Multi Room Sky install - what can I ask for?

othermanmi

Have just read through some of the sagas with Sky installs on this forum, and I always thought the cowboys were the good guys!

I'm getting a multi room upgrade with HD on Monday (I think it will be done by Finlays who are the local sub contractors for Sky in this part of Norn Irn) and was wondering if anyone has managed to blag an octo to replace the quad lnb during such an install? My dish and it's support are very rusty as well and wondered do the engineers normally replace this at the same time? Also what can you ask for in terms of how the extra cable is installed to the other room? ie how they drill through walls and lay cable on outside wall.

penrhyn

I'd doubt very much if they would have an Octo LNB on the van but I could be wrong.
When i had an upgrade, on the mainland, the guy swapped the dish.

In my experience a supply of Chocolate hobnobs or digestives, cuppa, and a polite request should result is a positive response to your requirements.

othermanmi

penrhyn wrote: »

I'd doubt very much if they would have an Octo LNB on the van but I could be wrong.
When i had an upgrade, on the mainland, the guy swapped the dish.

In my experience a supply of Chocolate hobnobs or digestives, cuppa, and a polite request should result is a positive response to your requirements.

Suppose I can only ask!

spike7451

othermanmi wrote: »

Have just read through some of the sagas with Sky installs on this forum, and I always thought the cowboys were the good guys!

I'm getting a multi room upgrade with HD on Monday (I think it will be done by Finlays who are the local sub contractors for Sky in this part of Norn Irn) and was wondering if anyone has managed to blag an octo to replace the quad lnb during such an install? My dish and it's support are very rusty as well and wondered do the engineers normally replace this at the same time? Also what can you ask for in terms of how the extra cable is installed to the other room? ie how they drill through walls and lay cable on outside wall.

They wont fit an Octo end of.(I worked for Finlays) as they only carry a van stock of 1 octo which is accountable.If an install requires an Octo then one will be fitted if it's on the paperwork.If it's not & the installer fits one,he'll be billed for it.
If the dish is rusty then they should be replaced,as for the cabling,it'll be done as per Sky/Finlays laws.Straight run from the dish to the TV point,cable wont be clipped to Skirting boards (It's policy not to,avoids claims for damage) but the phone extension will be stapled to the skirting board. (I know,doesn't make sense to do one but not the other)
Cabling wont be run thru attics,under carpet or floorboards as that's against policy.If the dish is too high up (say on a chimney of a three story house) then the job will be referred to an independant installer for a special heights install.

Finlays are the main installers for Sky over here as Sky don't have any direct installers here apart from Christmas when they send extra bods over.

othermanmi

spike7451 wrote: »

They wont fit an Octo end of.(I worked for Finlays) as they only carry a van stock of 1 octo which is accountable.If an install requires an Octo then one will be fitted if it's on the paperwork.If it's not & the installer fits one,he'll be billed for it.
If the dish is rusty then they should be replaced,as for the cabling,it'll be done as per Sky/Finlays laws.Straight run from the dish to the TV point,cable wont be clipped to Skirting boards (It's policy not to,avoids claims for damage) but the phone extension will be stapled to the skirting board. (I know,doesn't make sense to do one but not the other)
Cabling wont be run thru attics,under carpet or floorboards as that's against policy.If the dish is too high up (say on a chimney of a three story house) then the job will be referred to an independant installer for a special heights install.

Finlays are the main installers for Sky over here as Sky don't have any direct installers here apart from Christmas when they send extra bods over.

Thought as much! I have phone points where existing sky+ box is and phone point where extra box is going but was mainly concerned about rusty dish and where cables would be drilled through wall and how they would gain entry!

spike7451

They'll come in thru the nearest exterior wall.Just make sure they leave a drip loop & seal the hole with silicone,preferably fit a plastic blow out cover over the hole.
Make sure you move any furniture away from the walls as well as breakables.

othermanmi

spike7451 wrote: »

They'll come in thru the nearest exterior wall.Just make sure they leave a drip loop & seal the hole with silicone,preferably fit a plastic blow out cover over the hole.
Make sure you move any furniture away from the walls as well as breakables.

Thanks for the advice. Fingers crossed no disasters!

spike7451

othermanmi wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. Fingers crossed no disasters!

Any drama's,gimme a PM.I still have contacts in Finlays.

othermanmi

spike7451 wrote: »

Any drama's,gimme a PM.I still have contacts in Finlays.

Hopefully that won't be necessary but the offer is much appreciated!

othermanmi

Got my install completed. Did not realise that the second HD box has no plus record function! Had to go back to my Sky+ box and contact Sky to get it paired with card again.

So in summary: New new dish, Sky+ HD box, Sky HD box (changed back to Sky+) and everything working. I'll need to try and get an HD+ box from somewhere cheap! Thought it was too good to be true! Install engineer said a lot of people are making the same mistake thinking the multiroom would include two HD+ boxes, but Sky want an extra £199 for another box! There'll be a fight in our house over who gets what recorded as the HD picture is so much better!

PS Apparently Finlays have lost the Sky account from September, some company called Sierra are taking over?

spike7451

othermanmi wrote: »

Got my install completed. Did not realise that the second HD box has no plus record function! Had to go back to my Sky+ box and contact Sky to get it paired with card again.

So in summary: New new dish, Sky+ HD box, Sky HD box (changed back to Sky+) and everything working. I'll need to try and get an HD+ box from somewhere cheap! Thought it was too good to be true! Install engineer said a lot of people are making the same mistake thinking the multiroom would include two HD+ boxes, but Sky want an extra £199 for another box! There'll be a fight in our house over who gets what recorded as the HD picture is so much better!

PS Apparently Finlays have lost the Sky account from September, some company called Sierra are taking over?

Try E-Bay for a second hand box.

The owner of Finlays,Paul Finlay,sold the company lock,stock & barrel to the company 'Heat' about two years ago,all the installers had to re-apply for their old jobs as Heat trimmed the workforce.I had heard a few weeks ago that Heat had lost the Sky account as well.One of the worse companies I've ever worked for.